Saving Private Ryan (1998)

The Setup: June 6, 1944. Captain John H. Miller (Tom Hanks), Sergeant Michael Horvath (Tom Sizemore) and Private Daniel Jackson (Barry Pepper) are among the Allied forces arriving by sea to Omaha Beach to face the German army.

The Battle: With this merciless and shockingly realistic 24-minute battle, Steven Spielberg proved once again why he's one of the best. The sounds of crashing waves against the fleets of dedicated (and seasick) soldiers make for a chilling opening of what is arguably the most true-to-life war scene ever filmed. To bring this historical battle scene to life, $11 million was spent on the scene, which features genuine WWII crafts and more than 1,000 extras (among them Irish soldiers). Not content to focus solely on the land elements of the battle, Spielberg also utilized dozens of underwater cameras and fake blood to re-enact the plight of soldiers who were fighting from the water.

We're not alone in naming this battle scene the best. Empire magazine and TV Guide have both recognized it for its gripping visceral qualities and its lasting memories for any viewer who witnesses it. There simply isn't a signature moment to choose from when the entire scene functions at a level above the rest. It's all top-notch.